ProCURE (Promoting Chemistry Undergraduate Research Equity) (2020 - 2023)
ProCURE (Promoting Chemistry Undergraduate Research Equity) is a small student-led working group advocating for increased undergraduate research equity in the chemical sciences at the University of Washington.
I founded this group with three other graduate students the summer of 2020. Our initial focus was advocating for the creation of paid positions for underrepresented undergraduate researchers in the Chemistry Department. The vast majority of undergraduate researchers in the chemistry department at the University of Washington are unpaid for their labor. Furthermore, current options for funding are limited, competitive, and frequently require previous research experience. The result is a gate-keeping effect, where underrepresented minorities (URMs) and socioeconomically disadvantaged students cannot obtain the necessary experience to qualify for post-graduate education and jobs. ProCURE is currently working to remove the monetary barrier to scientific research for URMs by advancing the cause for paying undergraduate researchers, thereby ensuring a more equitable department. I’m proud to say that, as of summer 2022, we have seen movement from the department. The Chemistry Department has set up a funding source for undergraduates called "Rising Chem Star Undergraduate Research Scholarship". This program is paid for though an endowment. However, major changes to the program structure are still needed. ProCURE is proud to continue working with the department to ensure that this new source of funding is equitably distributed and continues to expand.
In 2022, we expanded our scope to generally promote undergraduate research equity. Results from a 2021 departmental survey performed by ProCURE have called our attention to additional obstacles undergraduate students are facing. Students expressed that they are unsure how to navigate obtaining an undergraduate research position or are discouraged after several failed attempts to secure a position. To address these concerns, we are working with department leadership to improve the departmental webpage on undergraduate research to better meet the needs of undergraduate students. Proposed changes include reformatting, adding mini video interviews to sections, clarifying information on the benefits of undergraduate research and how to apply, and an up-to-date table of open positions. Additionally, we are coordinating with Free Radicals to host annual undergraduate research info sessions and build a mentorship network for undergraduate students interested in or currently performing undergraduate research to build community and learn from one another.
For more information on this group, visit our website at uwprocure.weebly.com .
ProCURE (Promoting Chemistry Undergraduate Research Equity) is a small student-led working group advocating for increased undergraduate research equity in the chemical sciences at the University of Washington.
I founded this group with three other graduate students the summer of 2020. Our initial focus was advocating for the creation of paid positions for underrepresented undergraduate researchers in the Chemistry Department. The vast majority of undergraduate researchers in the chemistry department at the University of Washington are unpaid for their labor. Furthermore, current options for funding are limited, competitive, and frequently require previous research experience. The result is a gate-keeping effect, where underrepresented minorities (URMs) and socioeconomically disadvantaged students cannot obtain the necessary experience to qualify for post-graduate education and jobs. ProCURE is currently working to remove the monetary barrier to scientific research for URMs by advancing the cause for paying undergraduate researchers, thereby ensuring a more equitable department. I’m proud to say that, as of summer 2022, we have seen movement from the department. The Chemistry Department has set up a funding source for undergraduates called "Rising Chem Star Undergraduate Research Scholarship". This program is paid for though an endowment. However, major changes to the program structure are still needed. ProCURE is proud to continue working with the department to ensure that this new source of funding is equitably distributed and continues to expand.
In 2022, we expanded our scope to generally promote undergraduate research equity. Results from a 2021 departmental survey performed by ProCURE have called our attention to additional obstacles undergraduate students are facing. Students expressed that they are unsure how to navigate obtaining an undergraduate research position or are discouraged after several failed attempts to secure a position. To address these concerns, we are working with department leadership to improve the departmental webpage on undergraduate research to better meet the needs of undergraduate students. Proposed changes include reformatting, adding mini video interviews to sections, clarifying information on the benefits of undergraduate research and how to apply, and an up-to-date table of open positions. Additionally, we are coordinating with Free Radicals to host annual undergraduate research info sessions and build a mentorship network for undergraduate students interested in or currently performing undergraduate research to build community and learn from one another.
For more information on this group, visit our website at uwprocure.weebly.com .
InCS (Inclusion in Chemical Sciences) (2017-2022)
Inclusion in Chemical Sciences is a student group at the University of Washington whose mission is to educate and empower underrepresented minorities (URMs) in science and their supporters by providing a safe and open space for dialogue, mentorship, collaboration, camaraderie, and skill building. The group hosts a variety of activities including guest speakers and panels, student-facilitated discussions, career workshops, and outreach to primary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions. As treasurer, I maintained group funds, developed and ran outreach events for underrepresented communities at local elementary and middle schools, and aided in the planning and organization of speakers, panels, and workshops.
Chair's Student Advisory Committee (2020-2021)
I was one of three graduate students who comprised the Chair’s Student Advisory Committee for the 2020-2021 academic year. Student members of this committee are elected by their peers and act as liaisons between the student body and the Chemistry Department chair. Quarterly, the committee is responsible for compiling the comments and concerns of the graduate student body through one-on-one conversations and department-wide surveys. The committee then meets with the department chair to discuss their findings and propose potential solutions.
The 2020-2021 year was the first year this committee met. As such, myself and the other committee members serving at this time were responsible for assembling the framework for the committee and setting precedence for its function and influence. Major issues concerning the student body at the time included the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, worker safety during wildfires (specifically, the chemistry building was not able to effectively ventilate the smoke, causing respiratory issues for graduate students required to work on campus), student-PI relationships, and a hostile environment for underrepresented minorities.
Mentorship
As a highly educated woman in STEM, I believe it is my privilege and responsibility to help guide and prepare the next generation of scientists. In addition to mentoring rotation students and younger lab members, I meet with many of the undergraduate students I TA one-on-one to discuss career aspirations, undergraduate research opportunities, and general academic questions. I also participated in the Chemistry Department's graduate student mentor network as a mentor for three years. The mentor network helps incoming graduate students navigate the graduate experience by matching incoming students with senior graduate students who can answer questions on research, classes, moving to Seattle, work/life balance, etc. and assist with integration into the department.
Inclusion in Chemical Sciences is a student group at the University of Washington whose mission is to educate and empower underrepresented minorities (URMs) in science and their supporters by providing a safe and open space for dialogue, mentorship, collaboration, camaraderie, and skill building. The group hosts a variety of activities including guest speakers and panels, student-facilitated discussions, career workshops, and outreach to primary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions. As treasurer, I maintained group funds, developed and ran outreach events for underrepresented communities at local elementary and middle schools, and aided in the planning and organization of speakers, panels, and workshops.
Chair's Student Advisory Committee (2020-2021)
I was one of three graduate students who comprised the Chair’s Student Advisory Committee for the 2020-2021 academic year. Student members of this committee are elected by their peers and act as liaisons between the student body and the Chemistry Department chair. Quarterly, the committee is responsible for compiling the comments and concerns of the graduate student body through one-on-one conversations and department-wide surveys. The committee then meets with the department chair to discuss their findings and propose potential solutions.
The 2020-2021 year was the first year this committee met. As such, myself and the other committee members serving at this time were responsible for assembling the framework for the committee and setting precedence for its function and influence. Major issues concerning the student body at the time included the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, worker safety during wildfires (specifically, the chemistry building was not able to effectively ventilate the smoke, causing respiratory issues for graduate students required to work on campus), student-PI relationships, and a hostile environment for underrepresented minorities.
Mentorship
As a highly educated woman in STEM, I believe it is my privilege and responsibility to help guide and prepare the next generation of scientists. In addition to mentoring rotation students and younger lab members, I meet with many of the undergraduate students I TA one-on-one to discuss career aspirations, undergraduate research opportunities, and general academic questions. I also participated in the Chemistry Department's graduate student mentor network as a mentor for three years. The mentor network helps incoming graduate students navigate the graduate experience by matching incoming students with senior graduate students who can answer questions on research, classes, moving to Seattle, work/life balance, etc. and assist with integration into the department.